Kathryn Parsons

Kathryn Parsons is a distinguished British tech entrepreneur renowned for her significant contributions to technology education and digital transformation. As the co-founder and co-CEO of Decoded, a London-based company established in 2011, she has been instrumental in demystifying complex technological concepts for a global audience. Decoded gained prominence with its innovative “Code in a Day” program, which empowers individuals without prior programming experience to grasp coding fundamentals within a single day.

Under Kathryn’s leadership, Decoded has expanded its offerings to encompass a wide array of subjects, including data science, artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity. The company’s programs have educated over half a million people worldwide, spanning industries and geographies, and have been pivotal in enhancing digital literacy among executives and policymakers.

Kathryn’s advocacy for integrating coding into education led to a successful campaign in 2014, resulting in coding being introduced into the UK national curriculum. This initiative positioned the UK as one of the first countries to mandate coding education, thereby equipping millions of children with essential computational thinking skills. In recognition of her services to education, she was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours.

Beyond her entrepreneurial ventures, Kathryn has served on various advisory boards, including the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and has been an advisor to Number Ten Downing Street and the London Mayor’s office. She also contributes to the HM Treasury’s Rose Review into Female Entrepreneurship, addressing the challenges women face in securing venture capital funding.

Her thought leadership extends to media contributions, where she has reported on AI developments and emerging trends in Silicon Valley for publications such as The Times of London. Her ability to translate complex AI concepts into accessible knowledge makes her a compelling keynote speaker for AI events, offering audiences valuable perspectives on the future of technology and its societal implications. Kathryn’s expertise in AI is evident through Decoded’s educational programs that focus on AI literacy and its applications in business and society. She has delivered over 500 keynotes and talks globally, and received a client rating of 9.4 for sharing insights on the impact of AI on the workforce and the importance of lifelong learning in adapting to technological advancements.